Poland vs Portugal: Can the Dark horse continue their Golden run

This has been a phenomenal campaign for the Polish team at the European Championship. Poland was not able to win a single match at the European championship and now they find themselves in the round of 8 and the favorites to qualify for the semi finals. The Polish team will come into the match as clear cut favorites to advance into the semifinals against a lackluster Portugal side. Portugal on the other hand has a really bad campaign, according to the pool of talent they have and have somehow managed their way into the finals. Both the teams will be willing to fight for a place in the semi final and bank much on their defense. Portugal has the stronger team as its strength than Poland has better form as their strength. It will be a nervy encounter for both the team where the polish team will look to book their place in the final four-

Poland vs Portugal: Can the Dark horse continue their Golden run

Team News

Poland could have the services of, their midfield Bartosz Kapitsa as he is available after suspension from the Swiss game. The major problem for Poland is that their first choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is still suffering from the injury. Portugal has two midfielders in the name of Raphael Guerrieiro and Andre Gomes suffering from some minor problems that can be back into the team. William Carvalho, Pepe and last match hero Ricardo Quaresma are for the bookings and are in contention to be suspended while Poland has 6 players that are on the books.

Poland bank on their defense

The Polish team relies largely on their defense as this has been the key for them. Their defense does not contain some fancied names that the other teams have but they looked well organized and have worked as unit in the whole tournament. The Polish team has only conceded one goal during the whole tournament which was too a wonder goal from Xhedran Shaqiri that truly explains their quality at the back. They were also able to stop the mighty Germans who have run rampant in the other matches, but the polish team frustrated them for the most part of the match.

Portugal relies on their superman

Well this is a bit problematic for Portugal as they rely much on their star player Cristiano Ronaldo. The last match was also a perfect example of that cause he had a bad day and the same was echoed by the whole Portugal team. He came lively in 116th minute and the whole team becomes lively and they scored the goal. He was the one, who dragged them out of the group stages, but Poland is a strong defensive unit and hence will come with some strong plans to contain Ronaldo and hence Portugal should stop over relying on him.

Portugal is yet performing as a unit

The Portugal team looks very poor this year as because they haven’t clicked as a whole team in not even a one single match that has been the reason for their mediocre campaign. In the match where their attack clicks, their defense looks like on the brinks and if there defense clicks their attack looks blatant. Portugal has been lucky as they have got the easier draws so far in the competition and hence will have to click as a unit if they want to capitalize on it.

Verdict – Poland

Polish team deserves to be in the semi final seeing the way they have played and looking at the journey of Portugal team, they do not look like the team that should be in the semi finals. As far as current form is concerned, Poland has got an upper hand over Portugal in this aspect.